PALM COAST, Fla. – A Palm Coast woman had to have her cat euthanized earlier this month after it was shot in the face.
Christina Deangelis found the 5-year-old cat, named Baby Cat, severely injured in her driveway and rushed it to Flagler Animal Hospital.
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Vets said the cat had been shot, with the bullet entering the jaw area and lodging about the shoulder.
Baby Cat had to be euthanized because of the severity of her injuries.
The animal hospital reported the shooting to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, which began an animal cruelty investigation.
Deangelis, who lives on Laguna Forest Trail, told deputies she believes another of her cats might have been killed because it disappeared earlier this month. She told investigators that she has lived at her home for three years and hasn’t had any problems with her neighbors or her animals. Deangelis said she is puzzled about who is responsible for shooting her cat, which lived indoors and outdoors.
Deputies interviewed neighbors and researched cat complaints in the area but have no leads on who shot Baby Cat. They are asking for the public's help in the case.
Anyone with any information about the incident involving Baby Cat is asked to contact the FCSO at 386- 313-4911. Tipsters may remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-8477.
Deputies also remind residents that if they have problems with animals in their neighborhood, they should contact the proper authorities.
These agencies are available to help peacefully resolve situations involving animals that may be considered a nuisance. Here’s how to reach the agencies:
- Flagler Animal Services: (386) 246-8612. They serve unincorporated Flagler County and the cities of Bunnell and Flagler Beach.
- Palm Coast Animal Control: (386) 986-2520.
- Flagler County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line: (386) 313-4911.
In Florida, animal cruelty is a crime. According to Florida Statute 828.12, a person who kills any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner commits animal cruelty, a first-degree misdemeanor. Also, someone who intentionally commits an act to any animal that results in the cruel death or unnecessary pain or suffering commits aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony.
In addition, FSS 790.15 makes it illegal to shoot a firearm in a residential neighborhood. Exceptions to this include:
- A person lawfully defending life or property or performing official duties requiring discharge of a firearm.
- If the discharge does not pose a reasonably foreseeable risk to life, safety or property.
- A person who accidentally discharges a firearm.